Two More Falun Gong Practitioners Are Verified to Have Died of Torture, Driving the Death Toll in Shandong Province up to 96

December 25, 2003
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(Clearwisdom.net) Recent news from China indicates
that two more Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death in Shandong
Province.

Mr. Xiao Pifeng, 52, was from Ezhuang Village, Zichuan
District, Zibo City. He was tortured to death at the Boshanqiugu Labor Camp and
was buried on August 25, 2003. According to those who had a chance to see his
body, Xiao Pifeng's chin was pierced and had a hole in it. There were numerous
wounds on his chest and under his armpit. The police did not allow people to see
the rest of his body. The witnesses also said that one could tell from the body
that Xiao had died many days earlier.

When people called the Boshanqiugu Labor Camp inquiring about
this, the police did not deny the death of Xiao Pifeng, but they refused to
disclose the cause of his death.

Mr. Li Deshan from Dezhou City was beaten, hung up, force-fed
with water and alcohol, and deprived of sleep while he was detained at the
Wangcun Labor Camp. He passed away in August 2002.

When people called the Wangcun Labor Camp, the police who
answered the phone immediately hung up when they were asked about the reason for
Li's death. When called again, the police did not answer the phone.

According to available information, at least three other
practitioners had been tortured to death: Mr. Zou Songtao, Ms. Yu Lianchun and
Ms. Zhang Lin. A reader said in his letter to Minghui.net that Wangcun Labor
Camp policemen Zheng Wanli, Zhao Yongming and Shan Weiye once claimed, "The
labor education is to ruin your body and willpower in a short period of time so
that you can't practice anymore after you are released."

According to statistics, the verified death toll of Falun
Gong practitioners in Shandong Province has reached 96, including the death of
Ms. Zhao Jinhua, the first case ever, which was disclosed by The Wall Street
Journal, and Ms. Chen Zixiu, whose death was also reported by The Wall
Street Journal. Between 1997 and 2002 when Wu Guanzheng was the general
secretary of the Shandong Province Party Committee, Shandong Province became one
of the provinces where Falun Gong practitioners were most persecuted. On October
27, 2003, Wu Guanzheng was sued by Falun Gong practitioners while visiting
Cyprus and charged with genocide, torture and crimes against humanity.